Level 1 Strongest Sage ~

Book 9: Chapter 20: Transient Happiness

Ryuushin-sama, please have this, too.

T-Thanks.

Right now, Hinatas village is currently holding a reception for me, the one who saved them from that evil dragon.

Hinata sat beside me as she served the dishes that the villagers prepared to me.

She (yeah, a girl!) was really close to me so my heart is pounding.

I did request that they serve me some food whenever I visit this place to play in exchange for my protection, but they hurriedly prepared a feast to celebrate the villages liberation as well as to express their gratitude to me.

That scum dragon had ruled over this place for a long time and the four villages interactions were restricted by his minions, so they didnt have a wide array of dishes.

Still, the foods quality wasnt so bad.

The evil dragon wanted to eat delicious humans, so he would order his underlings to bring ingredients and daily necessities to the villages that were under his dominion.

Even if they were just minions of that scum dragon, some of them could morph into humans; in fact, they would bring the ingredients while in their human form.

Ryuushin-sama, Ill go get something to drink since theres no more here. What do you wish to have?

Oh, I want the red, sweet one that I drank earlier. Its delish. Do you still have that?

Rouvier, is it. Yes, I will get some!

Hinata left me after saying that.

The villager tended to Hinatas wounds after we saved the village up to the time the feast started.

The women half-forced her to take a bath to cleanse away the dirt on her body

They help groom her, and after theyre done, Hinata was so lovely when he appeared again before me.

Her hair that turned blackish because it was caked with sand, dirt and blood turned into smooth, chocolate brown tresses.

Nobody here could use more advance healing magic than a mid-tier level, so there were still traces of wounds on Hinatas face and body, but her skin looked translucent, its really beautiful.

I decided to ask Halt or Ryuka to heal her wounds.

Those twos recovery magic could even heal a few years old scar.

Ryuushin-sama, I am really grateful that you saved our village this time.

The village chief striked a convo while I was waiting for Hinata.

No worries. Theres something I want to ask, is that okay?

Yes, by all means.

Hinatas familyare they perhaps gone?

I havent met a single person who could possibly be her family ever since I took her home.

Since I saved their family and their daughter, I was pretty sure theyd definitely call out to me.

...Four years ago, Hinatas parents set out to fight against the evil dragon when it was decided that she would be the next sacrifice. They were then killed.

The sacrifices were chosen by the evil dragon himself through his minions.

The lot fell onto Hinata.

Her parents were both killed, so Hinata fell into depression for a while, but the scum dragons underling told her that the entire village would be annihilated if she didnt become the sacrifice as planned.

Since then, she obediently obeyed the underlings.

Ryuushin-sama, you are the benefactor who freed our village, and at the same time, you are also the one who avenged her parents.

...I see.

It would be great if we could revive her parents, but its been years since they died so it would be impossible even with Ryukas [Resurrection].

Besides, their remains had been carried to the scum dragons lair and was eaten, apparently.

Their bones were probably among the ones I saw at his cave back then.

We should probably take all those remains away from there and hold a memorial service as soon as possible.

The former Saintess Seira who just recently became Halts wife could probably guide the souls of the humans that that evil dragon killed to the place they must go.

Alright, lets discuss this with the chief after this feast.

Ryuushin-sama, thanks for waiting.

Hinata returned with a new dish along with the drinks.

Hinata has returned, so I will take my leave. Ryuushin-sama, please enjoy yourself.

Yeah, thanks, will do that.

The chief left.

Maybe its because I declared that I like Hinata.

The seats of the other villagers were also situated a bit farther from where Hinata and I were sitting.

Nobody tried to approach us while were talking.

Seemed like theyre being considerate, I guess.

By the way, Hinata

Ryuushin-sama, this one is my favorite. Please do try it.

Yup, thanks.

She had become very cheerful.

Her smile is so adorable.

Not only that, shes really close to me.

Half-way through the feast, shes started to cling to me.

Ive rarely been touched by a girl other than my older sis Ryuka, so my heart was racing.

Why do girls have to smell this nice?

And Hinatas hair, it looks really smooth, probably feels really nice, too.

Is it okay to touch it?

Just a bit is fine, right? Im her savior, after all.

I gently stroked her.

Hinata was shocked by my sudden movement, and her body trembled slightly.

Ah, s-sorry.

No, its alright. Ahm Im really happy that Ryuushin-sama touched me

I hurriedly took my hand back, but it seemed that she wasnt disgusted by it.

My parents also praised my hair, and Im really proud of it. If its okay with you, would you like to touch it more, Ryuushin-sama?

She asked me to touch her.

Then, theres no helping it, right.

I stroked her hair.

Yeah, just as I thought, its really smooth and feels really great.

...Ryuushin-sama.

Hinata leaned her head on my body.

FuooooOOOHHHHH!!!!

W-whats with this girl? Isnt she way too cute!?

I saw Halt flirting with his wives in the classroom from time to time.

Theres an outsider like me watching them, so I wonder whether they dont get shy, but

I got it now.

From the standpoint of the parties involved, they dont care about the others gazes.

Such a pretty girl is clinging on me.

Ahhh, what bliss.

To heck with whatevers happening around us.

I enjoyed this time with Hinata for a while.